Inspectors upped Essex County Council's overall judgment following an inspection in November 2018, after it found the department to be "good" in 2014. It was rated "inadequate" for safeguarding in August 2010.
An inspection report heaped praise on the authority's "inspirational" director of children's services (DCS) Helen Lincoln, who replaced Dave Hill in 2017, now DCS in Surrey.
The report said Lincoln and senior managers lead a team of social workers with low caseloads and high morale.
"They have created a culture in which staff are valued, supported and encouraged to be creative in their practice in order to make a positive difference to children," it states.
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